Abuse of Naira Notes: EFCC Grills Actress, As CBN Cautions Nigerians

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have commenced an investigation of Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, an actress and cosmetologist, for allegedly tampering with the redesigned Naira notes.

It’s an offense contrary to Section 21 (5) of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Act, 2007.

The 31-year-old was arrested after the video of her spraying and stepping on the newly redesigned Naira notes at a party surfaced online.

In the viral video, she was also seen flaunting wads of the new Naira notes.

Consequently, the suspect was subsequently handed over to the EFCC on Thursday, February 2, 2023, for further investigations.

Items recovered from her at the point of arrest include a Range Rover and iPhone mobile devices.

The suspect will be charged in court once investigations have been concluded.
Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN has earlier warned against any form of abuse of the Naira notes, citing those who flagrantly abuse the legal tender by hurling wads of Naira notes in the air and stamping on the currency at social functions.

According to the CBN: “We wish to state unequivocally that, contrary to the practice of these unpatriotic persons, it is unlawful to sell the Naira, hurl (spray), or stamp on the currency under any circumstance whatsoever.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (As amended) stipulates that “spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under the law by fines or imprisonment or both.”